I got the airframe of my Ar 234 assembled today. If you have this kit to build, make sure you remove the (mis)locator pins from the wing halves, and sand the edges of the cockpit’s rear bulkhead. The fork for the nosewheel doesn’t open enough to permit fitting the tire after it’s already assembled. Mine snapped, and you can see it in the bottom pic. Easy enough to fix, but be prepared. Other than those areas, the kit fits well and assembly is quick.
The cockpit module is just taped to the fuselage, to make sure everything lines up. The nosegear is dryfitted, and not set quite straight. I haven’t added one of the pylons below the engine yet.
There are clear panels on the fuselage top & bottom. The top one is for the window needed for the 2-seat nightfighter (he was seated there !). The bottom panel is for the recon cameras. Mine is being built as a bomber.
The flaps will be replaced with resin items from the Verlinden set.
It’s starting to LOOK like an Ar 234 now !
Thanks for letting me sharethe progress with you !
Thank you Awood, Swanny, Rick, yardbird, grenadier, Jeeves, Stinger, and Brian !
Awood - for photographing models, I’d suggest using a solid color background that puts the attention on the subject, and not the clutter that may be in the background. Use your lighting to eliminate dark shadows and prevent glare. If your camera has a “settable” White Balance (the camera reads a white piece of paper that covers the entire frame), use it. The white balance will have an effect on the accuracy of the colors. Use a small f-stop (large number) to keep the entire model in focus. Use the optical zoom to eliminate the bending effect of a wide-angle lens. Use the highest-quality settings (RAW image if you have it, ISO equivalent of 50-100, as little compression as possible). Play around with the camera to see the differences that changes in settings make. I always use full manual controls (aperture, shutter speed, focus). Have fun & shoot LOTS of pics !
grenadier - I do have other jets, Me 262s (Trimaster/DML/Dragon). Some think that’s all I build ! No real interest in post-WW II aircraft, though.
stinger - my Canon Power Shot G2 (4 megapix) died on me. I replaced it with a Power Shot G5 (5 megapix). The pics are crisper, and the colors more true. I really LOVE the new camera !
Dan and knoght - this is Hasegawa’s 1/48 Ar 234B kit. I also have the ProModeler “C” version in the pile. I like this kit so much, I’ll HAVE to get the nightfighter and at least a couple more of this version.
waikong - I used both Verlinden and Eduard sets in the cockpit. I have added some wiring and hoses with micro solder and fine wire. Here’s a closeup of the 'pit:
Hasegawa really captured the “nose-down” look of this bird.
It’s hard to believe that this aircraft was never used as a dayfighter. It might have performed well in that role.
